Sequim, Washington

On Washington’s pristine Olympic Peninsula, Sequim (“Skwim”) sits along Sequim Bay in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains about 90 minutes northwest of Seattle.  It’s nestled amid lavender fields and fruit farms and is known as the “Blue Hole,” a reference to its frequently dry, sunny weather when compared to much of the Pacific Northwest.

The cute downtown is peppered with galleries, bookstores, cafes, eateries and shops.  Saturday’s Open Aire Market features fresh meats and produce.

Seal Street Park has colorful benches and is nice place to people watch. Plays at Olympic Theatre Arts, exhibits at the Museum and Arts Center and live music at nearby Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra keep residents busy.

The Lavender Festival is held every July, and the Irrigation Festival, which essentially celebrates water, brings people in from around the state each May. The region boasts a handful of wineries and golf courses. A drive down Old Olympic Highway in springtime is a delight as strawberry farms, raspberry farms and lavender farms light up the countryside.

Outdoor recreation abounds. The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is home to hiking trails, wildlife, a historic lighthouse and the longest natural sand spit in the country, perfect for beachcombing. Skiing at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park is just a short drive away. Panorama Vista County Park, about 20 minutes away, boasts a three-mile stretch of tidelands, a beach and breathtaking views.

Most residences in town are modest in established, quiet neighborhoods, while the surrounding countryside has private, gated communities with large, elegant homes.